Hunting Season Trail Riding Safety

Even if you can ride like an animal, you don’t want to be shot. My favorite hunter, the Motor City Mad Man Ted Nugent, has said he has no problem with mountain bikes, he would just rather have hunting season at a time where hunters had the woods to themselves. Other hunters have told me they appreciate mountain bikers because deer are nocturnal animals and the bikers wake up the deer so they are easier to find.

Whether hunters like or dislike cyclists, riding during hunting season is a risk. Below are tips on staying safe during hunting season.

Seasons vary across the country, so call your local game commission or sporting goods store to find when hunting season is in your area.

Don’t ride at sunrise or sunset. This is when animals (and hunters) are most active.

Wear brightly colored clothes like neons and orange. Don’t wear a white helmet or you could be mistaken for a deer tail.

Animals are quiet. At just about every race I’ve been to there were people in the crowd with cowbells making a lot of noise. You won’t need something as large as a cowbell, but some sort of noise maker will let the hunters know you’re not wild game. Riding with friends, chatting as you go, will also make your presence known.

Hunters use salt licks, bags of carrots, and other veggies as bait. They may stake out a pond. So if you see the bait or if the trail you’re riding goes by a pond, don’t stop, just keep going. You could be in the middle of a hunter's cross hairs.

Whether a stray bullet or an arrow zings by, or you hear a gun shot - don’t try to outrun the friendly fire. Stop and yell like hell! And carry a cell phone.